How to Do Stuff In Japan: A Guide for Visitors to Japan

Touching another person is not normal in Japan and can make people feel very uncomfortable. Public displays of affection are considered inappropriate and very uncool - even between married couples

English speaking Japanese people are not common, but if you do have an encounter with somebody who speaks English, keep what you say clear, slow and simple so that they can understand you more easily.

Drinking and driving can be a 1 million yen fine and/or a year or two in jail. The alcohol limit is ZERO.

Leaving even a couple of yen change behind can cause a hassle for the staff, so it is better NEVER to tip for anything in Japan.

Forgetting to take the toilet slippers off, and walking around outside the toilet room in your toilet slippers is a HUGE mistake for which you will receive A LOT of unwanted negative attention and cause quite a stir!!

Rubbish is always divided into different recycling categories for disposal. Japanese people are usually very particular about doing this properly and expect us to do the right thing too. Be alert for different bins for the different categories of rubbish. These differ from region to region

Slurping noodles is acceptable and normal in Japan. Slurping the last of your drink through a straw is not. (Baffling, isn’t it!)
Eat everything on your plate. Leaving anything on your plate will probably insult your host.

On public transport, in restaurants or anywhere else where other people are nearby, your phone should be set to this mode. It is best to avoid talking on the phone in these situations too, as that is considered annoying. If you need to talk on the phone, try to find somewhere away from other people.

Soaps, shampoos, antiperspirants and deodorants in Japan usually have no fragrance, or a very weak fragrance so that other people will not perceive it. The aim is to be neutral with NO smell at all.

Sarcasm, for example, is not considered funny and only creates confusion. Teasing people is just considered rude.